Luke Ayling became an iconic figure at Leeds United before his transfer to Middlesbrough.
The right-back joined Leeds United from Yeovil Town in August 2016, going on to enjoy an illustrious career at Elland Road.
Luke Ayling featured 268 times for the Peacocks in all competitions, scoring 11 and assisting 21.
The 32-year-old played a key role in Leeds securing promotion to the Premier League in 2019/20 as well, forever cementing himself as a club legend.
However, Ayling started just eight Championship games for the Yorkshire outfit in the first half of the 2023/24 season.
He was loaned to Middlesbrough in the January transfer window as Michael Carrick aimed to bolster his injury-hit right-back department.
Ayling has proven in the past he is a Premier League-quality right-back but few Boro fans likely expected him to do so well at the Riverside Stadium.
While on loan in Teesside, Ayling provided a staggering eight assists in just 19 games in all competitions.
Why Daniel Farke let Luke Ayling leave Leeds United
After such an impressive loan stint, Steve Gibson and co. acted quickly to secure a permanent transfer for the player earlier this summer.
The defender had interest from elsewhere, but Ayling has explained why he joined Middlesbrough over the likes of Sheffield United, labelling his decision to re-sign a ‘no-brainer’.
The former Arsenal academy product has begun the 2024/25 Championship season as Boro’s starting right-back and will play a key role in their promotion push.
Now, Leeds manager Daniel Farke, as per Teesside Live, has explained why Ayling was allowed to leave his side.
He said: “He’s an outstanding character and player and definitely one of the best I’ve worked with, character-wise and also for a team.
“When he came and asked if he could leave, he wanted more playing time as his contract was running out.
“We were a little bit short in the right-back position, but we thought he earned that. We allowed him this move as he’s done so much for the club.
“It’s always better for a club legend to more or less finish his time when you have done so well for a club, instead of everyone saying ‘he should have finished his career two years earlier.’ From both sides, him and us, it was a perfect ending of a great legendary time here.”
Daniel Farke and Luke Ayling to face off in Leeds United vs Middlesbrough
Farke is now set to go head-to-head with Ayling for the first time since he left Elland Road in January.
Middlesbrough face Leeds in the first round of the League Cup on Wednesday evening at 8pm BST.
The pair are local rivals and it is expected to prove a heated affair, even if both managers make changes to their elevens.
The game should give an indicator of how Boro will fare in their promotion push this year as well, with the Peaocks expected to be among those vying for a Premier League return in 2024/25.
Unfortunately for Middlesbrough, they do not have a great recent record against Leeds.
Carrick’s men lost just one of their last 12 Championship games in 2023/24, with that single defeat coming against Farke’s side.
Boro have now failed to beat Leeds in any competition since March 2nd, 2018, with their last positive result a 1-1 draw in February 2019.